What’s Cookin’ at Callie’s Cabin: Bring in the New Year with a good luck ring cake

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It’s that time to welcome the New Year with lucky foods. Say hello to “ring cakes,” a popular treat due to their round shape showing the end of the year and the beginning of another. Also, sweet cakes and ginger are linked to reaping rewards, and round, sweet cakes symbolize coins — both providing promise of good fortune, which can come in a variety of forms. This week I was greeted with my published 2013 Forecast article in Oracle 20-20 Magazine. As I glanced at my past “windfall hits” and future predictions, it made me think about last year’s past love and loss. During the holidays I was busy working three international phone networks and putting my magical intuition powers to work. The common theme for my callers (all ages) was relationships of all kinds. My most memorable and selfless caller was from a rural Canadian province. An older woman asked me about a lost kitten. She found one feline out in the woods. She wanted me to look into my crystal ball and tell her if there was another kitty left in the wilderness. I closed my eyes. Via remote viewing I could see a tiny, black feline under a lot of tree branches and on the ground. I strongly recommended that the caller go back to the same region and look the next day despite the cold weather. A few weeks later, I received a call from the cat lady. “I don’t know if you remember me,” she began, “but I’m the one who asked about the kitty. I found it just like you said I would. He is with me right now, purring. I want to thank you.” I was moved and happy tears trickled down my cheek. So, this year, it’s my resolution to continue helping others live and love. Also, I’m on a mission to bring a new life into my own home. And with these goals in mind, it seems spot-on that I present us with a good luck food like a gingerbread ring cake for the New Year. Gingerbread Ring Cake 1 gingerbread cake mix 1 1/4 cups water1 organic brown egg2 tablespoons whole wheat flour (it’s for high altitude)European style butter and flour (for preparing pan)Raw cane sugarGarnishFresh blueberriesReal whipped creamIn a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, egg, beaten, liquid, and flour. Stir a few minutes till smooth. Lightly grease a tube or bundt pan with butter and dust with flour. Pour in batter and bake at 350 degrees for about 35 or 40 minutes. (Put knife in and if it comes out clean, it’s done.) Cool. Use a knife to loosen the cake from the pan and turn over on a plate. Sprinkle sugar on top. Place berries in the middle. Serves 10. On Wednesday afternoon, the second day of the New Year, I made a nice fire. While it warmed my cabin, I cut a fresh-out-of-the-oven slice of the good luck gingerbread and paired it with blueberries and a dollop of whipped cream. The cake was comforting (not too sweet), and the crunch of raw sugar added a nice crunch. Sometimes, we can toy with destiny and making good luck foods may even help the process of healing and help to make our dreams come true.Motto: If you can’t foretell the future, try creating good luck foods. While savoring the taste of life you just may help nudge things to go your way sooner than later.(In memory of Seth 2007-2012) — Cal Orey, M.A. is an author and journalist. Her books include "The Healing Powers" series (Vinegar, Olive Oil, Chocolate, Honey, and Coffee) published by Kensington. (The Healing Powers of Honey and Coffee are offered by the Good Cook Book Club.) “Animal Attraction: A Collection of Tales & Tails” will be released this year. Her website is www.calorey.com